Having concluded another mid-season international break, Manchester United are gearing up for another Premier League trip to face arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The fixture will be the 100th time United have played their old foes at the Merseyside venue, and Ruben Amorim’s men will be looking to mark the occasion with a long overdue victory.
Although the Red Devils have enjoyed the Anfield bragging rights on 25 occasions in the league and have enjoyed several memorable successes there over the years, victories have dried up of late.
Undeniably, encounters between English football’s two most successful clubs are always special occasions, and make no mistake, there is always more than just three points or cup progress at stake when the two sides square off.
The Old Trafford outfit enjoyed a good record at the home of their nemesis under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but have suffered a couple of heavy defeats there over the last five years.
However, United are unbeaten in their last two visits to Anfield Road, with a creditable 0-0 stalemate under former boss Erik ten Hag in December 2023, followed by a thrilling 2-2 draw in January of this year, in what was Amorim’s first taste of the fixture.
It has been approaching a decade since United last won at the venue, though, with Wayne Rooney bagging a late winner in January 2016.
Ahead of Sunday’s much-anticipated clash, we take a look back at Man United’s top five wins at Anfield since the turn of the Millennium.
5. Liverpool 1-2 United | 23 September 2012
Robin van Persie dispatched a late penalty to hand Air Alex’s side a vital comeback win over Brendan Rodgers’ men in the Premier League.
The hosts had been playing with 10 men following Jonjo Shelvey’s red card for a reckless two-footed lunge on Jonny Evans in the first half. Still, they managed to take the lead when Steven Gerrard fired them ahead straight after half-time.
United defender Rafael da Silva curled home a spectacular equaliser on his weaker left foot just minutes later, however, to get his team back in the game.
Dutch hotshot Van Persie then sealed the points and bragging rights with his late spot-kick after Antonio Valencia was brought down in the box.
4. Liverpool 0-1 United | 15 January 2005
To the delight of the travelling contingent, 10-man Manchester United beat Liverpool 1-0 thanks to Wayne Rooney’s 21st-minute strike on his return to Merseyside.
United, wearing their splendid black away kit, took a deserved lead when the prodigious Rooney saw his 25-yard drive slide under the body of Liverpool’s keeper Jerzy Dudek and into the back of the net.
The local lad, a staunch Evertonian, celebrated passionately right in front of the Kop, much to the displeasure of the home support who hurled both objects and vitriol in his direction.
Veteran midfielder Roy Keane bossed proceedings, winning the midfield battle against Gerrard, with the Irishman unlucky not to double his side’s advantage when his brilliant volley crashed back off the crossbar.
United lost Wes Brown to a red card after 65 minutes for a strong tackle on John Arne Riise, but this failed to be a turning point for Rafa Benitez’s men as the visitors held out to secure a vital victory.
3. Liverpool 1-2 United | 1 December 2002
A day that cemented Diego Forlan’s status as a cult hero amongst the United faithful as the Uruguayan striker buried two second-half goals past Liverpool to give the Red Devils a famous win.
His first came after a comical error from Liverpool goalkeeper Dudek, with the Polish international allowing the ball to slip under his legs to provide the gleeful Uruguay forward with a simple tap-in.
Forlan added his and the visitors’ second just two minutes later after being played in by Ryan Giggs, the South American star lashed home a rising drive past Dudek to put United in complete control.
Gerard Houllier’s team did pull one back through Sami Hyypia, and United required a match-winning save from Fabien Barthez late on to deny Dietmar Hamann a last-gasp equaliser.
On a day when United ended Liverpool’s 11-month unbeaten home run, they also cut league leaders Arsenal’s lead at the top to six points.
2. Liverpool 1-2 United | 22 March 2015
Without doubt, Juan Mata’s finest moment in a Manchester United shirt came in a game that has affectionately become known as “Juanfield”!
The Spanish playmaker struck twice as Louis van Gaal’s team totally outplayed their opponents in what is arguably United’s most dominant display at Anfield this century.
The visitors took a deserved lead when Ander Herrera superbly slipped in his compatriot Mata, who slotted home a composed finish in front of the Kop.
In his last-ever Liverpool-United fixture, Gerrard was hilariously sent off just 38 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute following a nasty stamp on Herrera.
Mata rubbed salt into the Scousers’ wounds when he doubled his side’s advantage with an outrageously good overhead kick, in what has to go down as one of the most memorable United goals at the Merseyside venue.
Despite a late consolation from Daniel Sturridge and a stoppage-time penalty miss from Rooney, United deservedly emerged victorious.
The win consolidated Van Gaal’s team’s grip on 4th place in the league and moved them 5 points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool.
1. Liverpool 0-1 United | 3 March 2007
John O’Shea slammed home a 91st-minute winner in front of the Kop as United bagged a famous late win over their old rivals and put themselves in pole position in the title race.
A smash-and-grab job it may have been, but it is undoubtedly a game that will live long in the memory for all United fans who witnessed it.
Down to 10 men after Paul Scholes was dismissed for taking a swipe at Xabi Alonso, it looked as though United would have to be content with hanging on for a point at best, as Liverpool smelled blood, that was until O’Shea’s dramatic intervention in stoppage time.
In a game where Fergie’s men rode their luck, it was a last hurrah upfield that led to Giggs winning a free-kick wide on the left-hand side of the penalty area.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s hard and low delivery proved too hot to handle for goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and the ball fell perfectly at the feet of O’Shea, with the Irishman showing great composure to blast the ball high into the roof of the net and secure a monumental win for the boys from Manchester.
United ended the day nine points clear of title rivals Chelsea, in what proved to be a pivotal weekend in the league.
What has been your favourite Manchester United win at Anfield over the years?
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